The Philadelphia Flyers lost a matinee hockey game against the Minnesota Wild, 4-1, at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota. This defeat ended their hopes of starting a new winning streak after back-to-back wins against Columbus and Detroit. Minnesota picked up its 20th win of the season, avenging a 7-5 loss in Philadelphia at the end of October. Philadelphia’s record dropped to 14-13-4 with the loss on Saturday afternoon. The Flyers head to Detroit for their next game on Wednesday night.
Marc-Andre Fleury Stops Flyers Once Again
In the loss, Philadelphia fired 22 shots at long-time NHL nemesis Marc-Andre Fleury but scored only once. The Flyers did not push the puck across the goal line when they created their chances. Fleury was excellent when needed, particularly on a first-period “save of the year” candidate on a Travis Konecny scoring chance in the first period when the game was still scoreless.
Marc Andre Fleury with the Glove Save of the Year! The greatest save by a 40 year old goalie in NHL history. 🌸 https://t.co/DAZLfStMcW pic.twitter.com/BfNPjl0JFe
— Allan Walsh🏒 (@walsha) December 14, 2024
After the game, a smiling Fleury spoke about understandably feeling good after a massive glove save. “Forwards love scoring goals,” Fleury told reporters. “It feels good for them. For goalies, when you can rob one, you see the guy’s face (wince)… it’s a good feeling inside. It’s fun.” Travis Sanheim’s 6th goal of the season ruined the shutout bid for Fluery in the third period.
Fleury earns his 32nd career win against Philly, third all-time behind New Jersey Devil’s and NHL Hall-of-Famer netminder Martin Brodeur (50 wins) and New York Rangers iconic stopper Henrik Lundqvist (35). The 21-year NHL veteran has played 1,033 games with a record of 566-331-97. It is unknown how many first stars of the game he has in his career, but add another one to this list for Saturday night.
Minnesota Flexes Scoring Muscle on Saturday Afternoon
The Minnesota Wild roster features some of the best scoring talent in the NHL, including young Russian winger Kirill Kaprizov. The 28-year-old winger, nicknamed “Kirill The Thrill” for his electric offense, excited the home crowd with two goals, moving him to 2nd best in the NHL with 20 goals. He ranks in the runner-up spot in overall points (45), trailing Colorado’s Nathan MacKinnon (47).
Two 23-year-old wingers, Matt Boldy and Matt Boldy, slipped pucks past Flyers starter Sam Ersson. Philly’s goalie stopped 19-of-23 shots.
Flyers Unable to Finish Chances
Flyers Head Coach John Tortorella commented about Saturday’s biggest issue facing the Flyers in Minnesota. Philadelphia missed several missed scoring chances. “They finished on their chances,” Philly’s bench boss said postgame. “We had some high-quality chances, I think probably more than them. We don’t finish.”
Hear from Flyers Head Coach John Tortorella following a 4-1 defeat in Minnesota on Saturday afternoon. #PHIvsMIN pic.twitter.com/Q8iqQMU4d0
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) December 14, 2024
Philadelphia’s scoring improved in November after a woeful October, but that still leaves the Flyers among the worst in the NHL at 22nd overall with 2.90 goals per game (GF/GP). Philadelphia’s next opponent, Detroit, ranks 28th in scoring at 2.52 GF/GP.
Philadelphia will get a few days off with their next contest at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. The Philadelphia Flyers (14-13-4) battle the Detroit Red Wings (11-14-4) on Wednesday night for the second frozen fight this week.
Mandatory Credit: Nick Wosika-Imagn Images
